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The LXIX. ADVERTISEMENT.
Anneus Seneca, after having read Moral Philosophy in the publick Schools of Pernassus, obtains a Writ of ease from Apollo; and being desirous to endow the Philosophy-School with a rich Revenue, is not suffered by his Ma∣jesty to do so.
SEneca having for above the space of forty years read Philosophy in the publick Schools of Pernassus, to his infinite praise, and the nn∣speakable good of the Publick; Apollo (as to one who had so wel deserv'd) gave him the last week a Writ of Ease; and the place being sued for by very many, Apollo bestowed it upon Plutarch. And because Seneca, by reason of his rich patrimony, had discharged his place with regal mag∣nificency, to the end that so honorable a place might not fall short of its antient splendor under Plutarch, who was but poor in respect of Sene∣ca, he indowed it with an annual rent of 6000 crowns a year: A piece of magnanimity whereby he hath won immortal fame from all the Vertuosi of this State. But when he came before Apollo to ac∣quaint him with so honourable a donation, instead of being commended for that his so glorious action, he was, contrary to the expectation of all men, much blamed by his Majesty, and in these very words reprehend∣ed: Seneca, to trouble the Fountains head when a man hath quench'd his thirst, is an action full of malice; nor should I ever have imagined that such a one as you would have gone about to vituperate that School, whereby you have been honoured; I must praise your excellent inten∣tion, but greatly blame the deed, and (as pernitious) not suffer it to be done. It is great wisdom to keep such places poor, as must of necessi∣ty be discharged by men of worth: To the end, that answerably to the publick good, they may be provided of men; which should it be other∣wise, to the great prejudice of my Literati, men would be provided of such wealthy imployments. The School which you have given over, will alwaies be sought for by such Literatias your self, whilst it is but of poor means; but were it indowed with the large revenue which you would now give it, even ignorant men, out of avarice would so endea∣vour the having of it, as by means of favour which such men by unwar∣rantable waies know how to win, it would be very hard, if not impossi∣ble, to keep it from them.